Team Talk Game-week 26 – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League
Well it’s a quick turnaround into GW26 and we have done our best to gather all the team news together for you. The most important piece of information is that after much panic and worry, the Fulham vs Liverpool match DOES go ahead on Wednesday evening, after the proposed tube strike in London was cancelled. This evening sees four matches and Chelsea can extend their lead at the top to four points if they can bring three points away from West Brom, while Cardiff host Aston Villa, Southampton travel to Hull and West Ham welcome Norwich to Upton Park.
Tomorrow, sees Everton playing Crystal Palace, Man City and Sunderland have a dress rehearsal for the Capital One Cup final, Spurs go to Newcastle, Stoke play Swansea and, still reeling from their weekend horror shows, Arsenal entertain Man Utd….in addition to the aforementioned match at Craven Cottage.
Don’t forget that you will be able to see the line-ups for all tonight’s games before the deadline of 19.30.
Let’s get around the grounds and catch up on the latest team news to help you prepare for those last-minute transfers and team deliberations.
Cardiff City vs Aston Villa (Tues 11 Feb 19.45)
Villa manager Paul Lambert is hopeful that captain Ron Vlaar may be ready for a return, though he won’t be risked if he’s not quite ready. Marc Albrighton is pushing for a start after impressing in the 2nd half defeat to West Ham, while Ryan Bertrand is a doubt with a rib injury.
Cardiff midfielder Craig Noone should be available again after missing the loss at Swansea through injury, while Solskjaer hopes to have defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine available for selection. Jordan Mutch could be recalled and new signing Juan Cala is pushing to make his debut. Craig Bellamy has until 6pm this evening to respond to his FA charge of violent conduct – if he accepts the charge, he will begin a 3-match ban tonight.
[divider_1px]
Hull City vs Southampton (Tues 11 Feb 19.45)
For Hull defender Liam Rosenior looks likely to miss two weeks with a thigh injury, which he picked up in the win at Sunderland. Keeper Allan McGregor completes his suspension, leaving Steve Harper to deputise. Defender James Chester is still out, but striker Sone Aluko should again be on the bench.
Saints pair Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramirez remain sidelined, but midfielder Victor Wanyama is hoping for a recall. Young striker Sam Gallagher has returned to full training and will travel with the squad after being granted compassionate leave last week.
[divider_1px]
West Ham vs Norwich (Tues 11 Feb 19.45)
Big Sam welcomes back midfielders Mo Diame and Joe Cole back into the squad, but Andy Carroll is still missing through suspension. Kevin Nolan is fit to play, despite suffering from a tight groin after the weekend win over Villa. The mystery of Ravel Morrison continues – the player maintains he doesn’t need a hernia operation, the manager says he needs to step up his fitness, while lurking in the shadows, ‘Arry wants to take the player on loan at QPR. Joey O’Brien is a longer term absentee.
Canaries midfielder Robert Snodgrass faces a late fitness test on a groin problem, but Jonas Gutierrez & Ryan Bennett are all definitely missing. Striker Gary Hooper has shrugged of a foot injury picked up vs City while Jonny Howson is set to resume training next week. Michael Turner remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Ricky van Wolfswinkel is ok to play, despite being kicked violently on his bottom by Yaya Toure. Craig Bellamy, there’s a lesson for you there pal. Bottom is ok, head is not acceptable. So many jokes. Best move on.
[divider_1px]
West Brom vs Chelsea (Tues 11 Feb 20.00)
Chelsea captain John Terry remains sidelined with a muscle problem, though Mourinho expects him to return for the FA Cup tie with Man City at the weekend. Better news, well I think it’s better news of striker Fernando Torres, who has recovered from injury and is available for selection, while Ramires, who was rested at the weekend, could return.
Baggies defender Billy Jones is a doubt due to a knee injury, while Pepe Mel has to continue to do without Nicolas Anelka, Stephane Sessegnon & Jonas Olsson. New striker Thievy Bifouma is hoping for a start after scoring as a substitute in the loss at Palace.
[divider_1px]
Arsenal vs Man Utd (Wed 12 Feb 19.45)
Arsene has described the loss at Liverpool as “an accident” and expects a positive response. The Gunners have no new injuries from the weekend disaster – Aaron Ramsey & Thomas Vermaelen are still out, but striker Yaya Sanogo is available – yep, I’ve never heard of him either. Expect Kieran Gibbs to replace the ineffective Nacho Monreal at left-back.
Moyes is as helpful as ever. Presser lasts less than 3mins and he maintains, “we played well vs Fulham and were unlucky”…and…”we got a good result vs Arsenal at Old Trafford and we’ll try for the same again”. Brilliant, just ******* brilliant. Thanks for your help. Right I’ll do my own research. Phil Jones had a scan on his hip injury at the weekend and is unlikely to feature, but Tom Cleverley may be fit after a calf problem (noooooooooooooooooooo!!). The match at the Emirates is likely to come too soon for Jonny Evans and Marouane Fellaini – not all bad news then.
[divider_1px]
Everton vs Crystal Palace (Wed 12 Feb 19.45)
Everton’s on-loan striker Lacina Traore may feature vs Palace but he’s not yet ready for 90mins, so prolific scorer Steven Naismith is likely to start again. Romelu Lukaku has returned to light training and is likely to be ready to return in GW28, as he is ineligible for the GW27 match vs Chelsea. Antolin Alcaraz should also be back for GW28.
Tony Pulis has no new injuries and a fully fit squad to choose from, but is likely to keep the same starting XI that defeated West Brom at the weekend, with all three new signings Tom Ince, Joe Ledley and Scott Dan impressing.
[divider_1px]
Man City vs Sunderland (Wed 12 Feb 19.45)
Mixed news for City as Pellegrini reports that midfielders Samir Nasri & Javi Garcia are both back in full training, but Fernadinho and Sergio Aguero are still a week away from returning to training. Defender Matija Nastasic has a slight knee injury, while Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo are still not 100% fit, but should make the squad.
Sunderland have no new injury concerns for the match but will have to do without Wes Brown, who picked up his third, yes 3rd red card of the season at the weekend and starts a two match ban. Carlos Cuellar remains out with a hip injury, while Steven Fletcher is still struggling to shrug off an Achilles injury
[divider_1px]
Newcastle vs Tottenham (Wed 12 Feb 19.45)
Newcastle still have plenty of concerns but could be boosted by the return of Papiss Cisse against Spurs. Pardew says 4/5 players are on the verge of a comeback, including Chieck Tiote, who should return for GW27, captain Fabricio Coloccini may be back around that time too as will Loic Remy, who completes his suspension this week. Mathieu Debuchy is doubtful after limping off at Chelsea with a calf injury.
Tim Sherwood has no new injury concerns for the trip to Newcastle, meaning he should select from the sale squad that overcame Everton on Sunday. Andros Townsend will be pushing for a start. Vlad Chiriches could be out for a further six weeks with his back injury, while Erik Lamela has suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh strain. Sandro is also missing.
[divider_1px]
Stoke City vs Swansea (Wed 12 Feb 19.45)
Garry Monk is hopeful that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey should be ready to return soon, it’s possible he could feature at Stoke, but Michu has had a small setback in training, delaying his return.
Stoke hope to welcome back Marko Arnautovic and Marc Wilson tomorrow – both have returned to training this week and providing they suffer no setbacks, will be named in the squad. Robert Huth is still sidelined with a knee injury, but could return to training in ten days or so.
[divider_1px]
Fulham vs Liverpool (Wed 12 Feb 20.00)
Brendan Rodgers is pleased to report that Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger have both returned to training, but it’s a case of “wait and see” as to whether Wednesday’s match comes too soon for either one of them. Liverpool will continue to be without Jose Enrique, Mamadou Sakho and Lucas.
Fulham, fresh from their hard-earned point at Old Trafford, now have the tough task of keeping Suarez & Sturridge quiet. They’ll still have to do without defender Fernando Amorebieta, while new signing, striker Kostas Mitroglou is not yet ready to make his debut.
Good luck for GW26
Thanks for reading Team Talk, this article was written by Cookie.
[alert style=”1″]
Useful links:
Check out the latest injury news and updates on our live Physio Room table Injury News[/alert]
Dont forget to vote on our Captain Poll for GW26
[polldaddy poll=7768644]
Hi Guys
Could someone look at my team and come up with some suggestions for replacing either Chester or Colback in readiness for GW28. I have 0.4m in the bank and 2FT.
Boruc/Davies
Coleman, Azpilcueta/Collins/Ward/Chester
Mata/Hazard/Silva/Lallana/Colback
Suarez/RVP/Sturridge
Tomo I need to sort out Chester too, but will probably leave it until the FA Cup matches have been played so I can replace him with someone playing in GW29. Might go for Olsson though, and we already know he’s got a fixture then.
Maybe Bacuna for Colback?
Hmmm. I bought Olsson, replacement for Evans this gameweek. He was on my bench though. Problem with Olsson next game is that he’s facing Spurs away. AFter that Norwich have a lot of good fixtures (like 7).
Just noticed there is actually a way for me to bring in Hazard and Kun, just have to replace Oscar and RvP.
Wait, figured Kun would be back in 10 days but he’s set on 1st of March. Not touching that. >.<
On that note, I could spend my money more wisely, Oscar has been quite unlucky. Hazard will score better, no doubt. But now he's so hyped every opposing team will double mark Hazard which will leave more room for Oscar. Only shitty thing at the moment is that Oscar isn't taking any free kicks/corners no more.
Yeah Kun will certainly throw a monkey wrench into my plans when he’s fit again. Was always just gonna switch back to him from RVP, but may well drop Suarez now instead, see how his next few games go.
Suarez is a bit less hungry. That’s for sure. Seems he’s already got the topscorer both, so he’s not as eager to score. He’s actually helping his team mates out and being less selfish. Dude has to be selfish, lol.
Raziel – what on earth is the reasoning behind you saying Suarez isn’t as hungry for goals anymore? Have you even watched him play? He hit the framework twice on the weekend against Arsenal, taking one shot more than Sturridge did in that game. He also created 4 chances, equal to Gerrard but 1 less than Coutinho.
I don’t get how you say he is less hungry, he battles for every ball that gets punted towards him – I was at the game Saturday and it envied me that he holds the ball up better than most (if not all) forwards in the league do, considering Giroud is apparently a ‘target man’ who’s job is to hold up the ball for Arsenal, he does a pitiful job compared to Suarez. Just intrigues me to know your reasoning behind that statement.
Have to agree with Flingy.
Suarez might not have bagged a goal but he was the best player on the pitch.
+1 flingy,i’ve watched a lot of Liverpool games this season and he’s always busting a gut to score goals and set up his team mates,as all top forwards do,apart from Giroud,he’s just pure shite in my opinion,nearly as bad as Heskey.
Thanks for the advice Raziel and Calvin. Olson is on my radar along with Bacunna and I won’t need either for next week as I plan to keep my team as is at the moment. For GW28 I’ll probably out RVP and hope Agueor is fit to come back in for GW29, leaving me to decide about Olsona dn Bacunna.
Great defensive score Raziel and I hope you get 100 + this week. I’m on 33 with much the same to play as you.
Hmmm, if you get Olsson check if you need him the next match. Because he’s playing Spurs, I have him but I won’t start him next game. Unless he’s coming off of my bench (not likely now but wasn’t likely when I pressed the WC 2 weeks ago that 3 or 4 of my defenders wouldn’t start or be subbed off with injury). This gameweeks defensive score made up for that headache though.
Raziel – Do RVP to Kun for 8 March -City at home to Vila but get someone for RVP for GW28 first
Yeah, might actually not do a transfer this GW so I can use 2 the following. Make changes when City and United don’t play in GW29. Also need to be careful to somehow get United/City coverage back when they have the DGW in GW31. Coudl be a lot of goals between the 2. United should get better and better with Rooney, Mata and RvP fit. Hoping the chemistry between RvP and Mata is better than that of Rooney and RvP (though they shared a lot of assists/goals last season I don’t feel it, the chemistry, like for instance Negredo/Silva/Kun.
52 points with 6 players to go: Silva, Sterling, Mata, RvP, Suarez (C) and Sturridge. Hoping for a decent score this gameweek.
You’re already on one Raz! Potentially a +100 for you.
This gameweek I’m ranked 335. That won’t happen too often. Doubt it will be that after tonight,but who knows. If I look at my players I’d think the best is yet to come.
Wow, I’ve never seen a full defensive return like you’ve just had, amazing! All the pieces just came together perfectly
Lol yeah, it’s really scary. Even 2 players from opposing teams got 3 bps in the same game while playing each other (Marshall and Vlaar). Another funny one, Chambers didn’t score or assist but he beat Fonte with getting the full 3 bps while Fonte scored and kept a cleansheet. Chambers looks like a good 5th defender, I think the coach really prefers him over Clyne (rightfully so, he’s better already).
Collins tends to get the 3BPS for Westham when he gets a cleansheet. Anyway, I’ve had pretty much bad luck all season, yesterday everything seem to fall in the right place. Lucky. How did you do by the way?
14 from 4, and also on a -4, so very poor so far. Only guy bringing in points was Adrian, but of course it was at the expense of Marshall who has done bugger all for me the past couple of months and then goes and gets 11 points the very GW I transfer him out!
Hoping to salvage something with the rest of my guys, but of course most of them are the same as everyone else so expecting a red arrow this GW.
I get the Marshall trouble but he has perfect rotation with ummm Mannone (the other goalie you have). Anyway, West Ham keeper is good I would prefer Collins over him at the moment though. WHU defensive coverage is key at the moment though. Wonder what will happen with Winston Reid now Collins and Tomkins are doing so well. Reid is their best defender, no question about that.
Indeed mate, will definitely be looking at Reid and Collins, though will probably go for Collins for his price and hope Reid doesn’t out-BP him too much.
Aware of the perfect Mannone-Marshall rotation, which was actually why I brought them both in, but rotating for home games has not gone well for me at all lately so thought I’d try and capitalise on Hammers form instead. So typical man.
Before you get collins do take note that the boss has to make a decision between Reid/Collins/Tomkins. Collins was out of favor with the coach earlier this season (when I also had him, started with him this season). Anyway got to go. Cya.
Afternoon all. Can’t wait for the action tonight… should be busy
Had a great start last night, 25 from 3, but sadly Vlaar on the bench!
Ah well, if the other 8 follow suit, I’m sure I’ll soon forget. 😉
Arsenal must win too!
ooh ye! have Silva as captain ( me nerves! ) just hoping Suarez is quiet everyone else in my league captained him, also had Vlaar on bench
meant to be crazy winds in Liverpool tonight 80mph+
yeah, theres 100mph winds in Wales which isn’t too far from Liverpool, will make things hard in those conditions
Geoffreys – Good thing the game is in London so!!
sorry was talking about the Everton game!! Everton fanatic here with me ha ha
Good thing we’re only getting battered with 60mph winds here in London lol!
Heavy rain and gale force winds all afternoon here, i hope Fulhams ground is still standing later :]
Hey gang, mind giving a quick RMT?
I’m struggling to find ways to raise enough cash to bring Aguero back in when fit and it would be at the expense of Sturridge – so should I look at upgrading Jrod and sticking with SAS? Crazy? Any other thoughts welcome!
Boruc – Mannone
Coleman – Kosc – Chico – Collins – Bruce
Hazard – Silva – Mata – Eriksen – Bacuna
SAS – JRod
2FT this gw and 0 in bank.
A) Silva > Lallana/Nolan
Sturridge > Aguero
Gives you an in form midfielder, if you choose Lallana, who has been outscoring every other midfielder as of recently, and helps you get Aguero.
Later you can upgrade JRod to Lukaku which is quite a logical move because of Everton’s fixtures (considering Lukaku is fit)
Dont know if that will suit you cash needs and allow the moves. But to get City coverage from Aguero is it logical to downgrade Silva, according to me. Im probably doing the same.
It would be Silva>Mata and Sturridge>Aguero for me. Got money in the bank so shouldnt be a problem.
Colriles – It’s going to be tough to get him in without hurting your team,i would forget about him for a while to be honest,he’s so injury prone that it’s a risk bringing him in in my opinion so i’m going to wait. I like your midfield so i’d be hesitant to change it around,maybe play two up top? at least then you could chop and change and still keep your solid midfield and have Suarez and Aguero up front,it’s an option worth considering anyway.
Cheers B and NIN – I can see both lines of thinking but not sure I’m ready to blow up my midfield just yet to do it. Although I wouldn’t be opposed to downgrading Mata, Silva and Eriksen in the future (lallana the obvious choice, and thought of Navas for Silva). Have to give it some more thought going forward.
Mitroglou scores twice for Fulham Under-21s
Fulham’s January transfer window signing Konstantinos Mitroglou scored two goals for the Under-21s against Aston Villa Under-21s as he steps up his fitness ahead of a first-team debut.
Love it! He’s fit – put him on the pitch on Saturday!!
Nice. Mitro should save us from relegation. I hope.